Koide 1993 (Article) Tillandsia

Tillandsia ionantha; Its Varieties, Forms, and Cultivars

Author(s):—P. Koide

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 43(4): 160-163. (1993)

Abstract:—Tillandsia ionantha is one of the most common and interesting species of the genus Tillandsia. One of the most delightful of the miniatures, its tufting, silvery rosette reaches only 11/z to 4 inches in height. The leaves, covered with silvery scales, are seldom over 2 inches long. It is rather easy to grow and adapts well to our outdoor southern California climate. If left to grow into a cluster, this species will form a large ball in a very short time. Some people have grown these clumps to the size of a basketball, a spectacle when the whole cluster blushes red at bloom time. The common name for this species is “Blushing Bride,” referring to the red blush during anthesis. Although several forms and varieties are avail able to the collector, there are only two varieties recognized in Harry Luther’s AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF BROMELIAD BINOMIAL5, but three in Lloyd Kiff’s A DISTRIBUTIONAL CHECK-LIST OF THE GENUS TILLANDSIA. Descriptions of the vari eties, forms, and cultivars follow

Published names (2):

Tillandsia ionantha forma fastigiata
Tillandsia ionantha var. stricta